The Veteran's service-connected painful scars, left thumb, posterior trunk (back), and neck were granted a 20 percent rating from February 1, 2012, to February 16, 2019. From February 17, 2019, the Veteran was denied a higher rating for these conditions. The Veteran's neck scar with characteristic of disfigurement received a 10 percent initial rating from February 1, 2012, to February 16, 2019 and was denied a higher rating thereafter.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s service-connected painful scars were found to meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation based on multiple painful or unstable scars.
- Claimed conditions
- Painful scars, Neck scar with characteristic of disfigurement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19181353
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 399 · Granted: 41% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19181353.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted separate ratings for the Veteran's left knee pain and limited flexion, as well as earlier effective dates for service connection of disfiguring and painful scars. The decision also denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to February 5, 2024.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for five painful scars and a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from November 25, 2020. Other claims were denied.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for several conditions, granted a 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and an effective date of August 10, 2023, for the left elbow impairment of supination and pronation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his service connection claims for hypertension and a right hip condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran should be provided with VA medical opinions to address the etiology of his right hip condition and hypertension.
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